On This Day: President Obama, followed by First Lady Michelle Obama, does a dance upon his arrival ceremony with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, July 1, 2013, at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

You are very kind – but I have stayed away most of the past week or two – I have been just too full of negative vibes – you lift us up – even when lurking one feels better :)

And then the grandbabe visited today – she is so growing up – no longer a babe. Was most upset because grandpa wasn’t here (someone has to earn the money) – I am definitely the second best option! Then she says “guess you’ll do” – and we all had a fun time.

Good morning. Congrats on 26 million hits. Thanks so much to Chips, Nerdy and the other bts for this sanctuary. I get all my news here and would be lost without the Obama Diary. Incredible news today– a new poll said Christie has a 50% approval rating in NJ. I have decided New Jerseyans are the stupidist people in the country.

Morning Chips. Wonderful photo to brighten the day. I wouldn’t be surprised if TOD hit 30 million by election day because there’s something stirring in this land and we the people are going to fight back. Congratulations 26 million times for everything you have done to create this oasis of sanity in a ocean of madness. Love ya.

I know I shouldn’t believe any polls – but our state Premier’s (like governor)party has dropped 18 points since he was elected – he is seriously a rwnj. We have a by election in a couple of weeks so hoping it goes against the government.

This photo always scares me and somewhat angers me because it is potential danger ( he is being crushed) and the complete disregard for any personal space that I actually find rather disrespectful. I know that they are excited and that they mean well, but this is a bit much.

{{{CEB}}} Take heart Ceb! It can be a bit nerve-wracking to look at these pics. However, I think these people are thoroughly screened and pre-selected to be close to PBO, AND SS is standing nearby waiting to pounce if anything happens. :):) Many of them are campaign/OFA workers.

Looking at the picture in isolation could cause some angst regarding PBO’s safety. But looking at the video as a whole gives a different emotion…the author is illustrating — in words and pictures — why she is grateful for our President. This picture is one that portrays “hhis ability to connect with people.”

26 million affirmations that this is the best blog on the web. All of this is because of the atmosphere of inclusion, support, good humor, respect, and warmth that Chips has created and all of the posters and commenters have helped to maintain. Many of us found our way here when we saw that before the echoes of PBO’s first swearing in had faded, the haters and the unreconstructed racists had taken over almost all institutions. We needed a refuge to learn about what was really going on about PBO and his administration and to express our admiration and support for this remarkably transformative president and for the family that serves with him. I found TOD early in 2009 after trying to follow the Obamas on their first European trip. I searched the usual broadcast and print media in vain for coverage. I looked for AP photos, searched Reuters, BBC online, and foreign newspapers ( I did not know the names of any of them; I just typed in a general search title) to try to find news of the event and was dismayed to see how little I was able to find. I was amazed that such an historic event was not being covered in our country. When I stumbled onto TOD, I felt so relieved to find others who loved and supported the president and a blog mistress who would not allow the haters to put one foot into her territory. I cold do a long list of the many things for which I am grateful in relation to this wonderful place, but I will simply 26 millions thank yous, Chips.

I read her tweets every day and although I agree with most of them I am baffled by her constant negativity towards PBO’s messaging team. It feels like she is blaming the Obama Team for the negative coverage in the news.

If The Team holds back, in my view, it is because that is the judgement they have made that a tentative approach will be more effective.
I”de very interested in hearing how other TOD participants feel about The Obama Teams messaging.

Ah Ceb, you are so so so kind, what a lovely comment, and a great account of how you found this place. As I always say, it wouldn’t be anything without people like you contributing, so for that I will ALWAYS be grateful!! Thank you again Ceb.

Remember Zach Wahls (@ZachWahls) from Iowa City, the guy with two moms? He wrote a book, gave speeches all over the place (including the Democratic convention in 2012), etc?

Well, I just saw a small news article in the paper last night that said he’s doing a White House Internship this summer! I can’t find the link to that on the newspaper’s website, but I did find the whole list of interns: http://www.exploreseiowa.com/pages/19303468.php?

I bet we’ll be hearing a lot from him in the political arena down the road.

I re-watched that just now too, Mgal, and my thought was, ‘These are the kind of forward thinking people we need to encourage (AND, dare I say, NURTURE) to become leaders in the Dem party’. The old folks IMO should be mentoring these guys and stepping aside to give them their chance to serve – ‘fresh blood’, ‘fresh’ perspective, ‘fresh’ drive!

The irony of this development is that Grimes herself may be clueless that it’s really Obamacare – affectionately called KYnect that is helping her numbers in that state. Not her “distancing” herself from PBO, or criticizing his EPA regulations or attacking the VA sec. Anyway, if she can unseat Mitch McConnell, that would be huge. Meanwhile, crickets from the media….

Every time I get a $ solicitation from her, I remind her to forcefully embrace the ACA and support President Obama. I do donate small amounts because we desperatley need to bump off Mitch, and this is one of those seats on the margins of victory as Sam Wang has called them. I will give her more the more she support PBO.

It was wonderful and uplifting…and hopeful. Someone in this said that the solution from this struggle will not come from govts…it has to come from the people….he is right…let me know what you think. I wish for peace for them. ALL of them.

I watched the snippet at the address you provided and also felt uplifted.

But—just like in the USA—the solution will be at the ballot box in Israel, I think. When Israelis stop buying the absurd “peace with security” slogan from Bibi—-and that is a big “if,” (since Netanyahu will guarantee that neither peace nor security is implemented)
they will vote for Tzipi Livni or another politician that doesn’t dream of a one-state with Palestinians in a permanent inferior position .

I agree with you 100%. Bibi is a Dick Cheney to me…not good for the people. Of Israel OR Palestine! Regardless, I hope that people continue to reach out and break down barriers on their own…respect and understanding will go a long way.

Good morning and congratulations on 26 million hits! This place is amazing. I learn more here than I could any other way. I love the articles that are linked, and read them all; I read many of the Blog Roll, the tweets on the side are always informative and entertaining, the pictures are wondrous, and the people here are extraordinary. I doubt that there is any other place on the internet with the sense of togetherness, caring, compassion, empathy and social justice that there is here.

It’s interesting how we feel as if we know each other personally, and also how we care if someone is ill, or has a bad experience. I look forward to comments from everyone.

Thank you Chips for starting this place, and to all the BTs who help keep it going. Every one of you does a splendiferous job.

Well, time to take our poodle for her bath and grooming. I call it her day at the spa:-) See you all later.